The Grand Duke Alexis. Who He Is

Alexia Alexandrovitch is the third son of the Etnperor Alcx-inder II., and tho Empresa Alexandrovna, formerly Princesa of Hesse. Tho Emperor ha been twice married, and has now a lurgo family, all the children of the Jircsent 'Empresa. Tho eldeat is the Grand Duke Alexander, héir apparait, who fan born on the lOth of March, 1844, four years aftor the Eraporor's KOOSd marringe; tlie ocond, tho Grand Dulte Vladiuiir, born April 20th, 18-17 ; the third, the Gtand Duke Alexis, born Januiry 1-lth, 1850; the fourth, tho Grand Dachi 8i Maria, born Oct. 17th, 1H.',3; tlie fit') h, the Grand Dr.ke Sergia, born May llth, 1857; and tho youugest, the Grand Duke Paut born Oct. 8, 1860. It is worth relating that there was no little anxiety attending the Urand Duke's birth. The imperial family and the stato officials were at first overjoyod to hear tho tidings from the siek chamber thnt the Grand Duchess was boyond danger, and that a prince had been bom. The child was christened soon after at tho magnifloont catheJral of St. Isaac in Petersburg, as Colonelof the Ekettatineubourg Infantry Regiment, an honor conferred thus early cmly cm priucea of tho blood imperial. Karvly had a moro brilliant and distinguished asscmbly gathered in the cathedral. The wholo imperial family, including the Emperor and Emprofs and the Grand Dukes wero present. Most of tho foreign countries were represented by ministers in theit rob(!s of state,, and tho officers of the Imperial Life Guard wero stationed at regular intervals in various parts of tho vats building. Pot a period of several yoars after his birth the young Prince was in very procarious health, and it was scarcely hoped that he would live till tho years of maturity. But liig slender health has grown more robust with each year. In 1856 ho accompiinied his parents to Moscow, and was thou - at their coronation - presented for the first time to the assembled representativos of the empire. Upon the return of the Impcriiil fnmily to St. Petersburg, the Grand Duke' education was immediately commenced. Madame da Bernard, a Frenoh lady, and Fraulein von Inlithehoff, the dauguter ot a Courand noble, were appointed as his gov;rnesses, sinoe all the imperial children of Russia aro educated at homo. Alexis hoved great taste for an upplication to itudj'. Few months passed bofore he was ible to read easily Russian, Germán and ?rnnch, and spoak them with considerable fiuoney. When further advanced, he ivas placed underthe luition of Professor ?arnagoff, who instrueted him in mathomatics and geography ; Professor von Stein, who ;taught him ancient and modjrn history and Mr. Gordon, a Seotchnan from whom no learned English. In .he year 18G2 he aecompanied his unele, the Grand Duke Constantino, Grand tVdmiral of the Bussian Navy, on a trip ;o the fortress of Sweaborg. During a rrific storm, which lasted oight hours, :ke young duke displaycd so much in;repidity and daring that Constantine, on ais return to St. Petersburg, urgently relucsted the Eraperor to appoint him to ome position in the navy. This the Einperor ruluctantly did, after delaying for i long time. being fearful of the delicate jonstitution of the Prince. Since then it ïas been his passion to be on shipboard, nd he has spent all the time that his iutios would pennit him ou the water. The Duke's grandfather was Nicholas [., the resolute and warlike Czar who ïverawed the wide-spread rebellion inci ■ lont to his accession, and who conductcd ;he beginning of the famous Crimean war igainst the allied powers. The blood of ?rederick the Great of Prusaia also flows n his veins, so that his disposition should ie worthy a member of the imperial "amily of Russia, who e characteristic has ever been a predilection' for war and uilitary pursuits. Moreover, the Duko s said to inhorit much of his father's in;cllectual culture and polite tastes, so ;hat he comes naturally by all the quali;ies so laudable in a general and statesuan. His official positions are captain and aide-de-camp of the Emperor, and chiefofthe Ekettatineutourg Regiment of Infantry, and of the first squadron of the fleet of Finland, of nor e of which he is so proud as of a medal of honor given tiim for rnscuing a young lady from drowning, at the imminent peril of his own life. Such incidents, revealing his generous disposition, show how well daserved is his universal popularity among the Russian people. His official title is, His Imperial Highnoss the Grand Duke Alexis Alexandrovich, and his rank in the imperial Russian Navy is that of first Hcutenant. His suite is composed of Vice-Admiral Possuet, general aide-decamp to the Emperor and tutor to tho Grand Duke ; Councilor of State Vesselajo, Count Olsoeifleff and Count ChewoalofF, Lientenants of the Imperial Guard, and Professor Metchin. - $T. T. WorU.